Product Description
A unique reference book bursting with inspirational full colour photographs and over 600 line diagrams. Together with the step-by-step instructions it is THE indispensable curtain-making guide - it has sold more than 30,000 copies worldwide! With graded projects and skills from Quick & Easy to elaborate Swags and Tails, many techniques are explained here for the first time.
From the Publisher
Offering a comprehensive guide to all aspects of curtain-making, this volume contains information on a range of styles, materials and techniques that cater for the beginner and more experienced alike. Designs range from no-sew easy options to the more complicated headings, valances and pelmets.
From the Author
Curtains in all the designs and styles you can imagine are enjoying a revival, but it could be argued that traditional curtain making skills are a forgotten art.
For the past seven years, we have been working towards the publication of this book, learning every moment of every working day, trying out ideas, finding the best methods for us and for the best results.
Each design has been a challenge and an opportunity to create something different.
Life and curtains are never dull - there is always something unusual to explore and exciting to discover.
The methods we outline here have been adapted from those developed in our own workroom but there is no reason why you shouldn't in turn adapt them to you your own situation and expertise, benefitting from our hard-earned knowledge, eliminating guesswork and enjoying timesaving shortcuts and professional techniques.
These are the tips which, at the beginning, we would have given a fortune to know.
Curtain making encompasses many different skills beyond the sewing machine, from using rubber bands, to pattern cutting, to a little carpentry and a lot of enthusiasm.
Rather than limit the instructions to a few projects, which may or may not suit your needs, we have given careful outlines of techniques which can be applied to an infinite number of styles and designs.
Treat the book like a pick-and-mix counter; take what you want and come back fro more when you've found out how satisfying it can be to look our at the world through a well dressed window.
Throughout the book, no matter what your experience or skill, we hope you will find what you need, whether it's the simplest seam or the most elaborate swags and tails.
Because we have included a great deal of detailed information, the make-up instructions are coded with a series of needle and thread icons, from one to four.
They indicate the level of skill needed,from the very easy to expert. But be encouraged; almost all the techniques, even the four needle ones, depend more on your patience and time than on years of experience.
Getting started is all that it takes to begin.
Catherine & Rebecca, Redbourne 1996
For the past seven years, we have been working towards the publication of this book, learning every moment of every working day, trying out ideas, finding the best methods for us and for the best results.
Each design has been a challenge and an opportunity to create something different.
Life and curtains are never dull - there is always something unusual to explore and exciting to discover.
The methods we outline here have been adapted from those developed in our own workroom but there is no reason why you shouldn't in turn adapt them to you your own situation and expertise, benefitting from our hard-earned knowledge, eliminating guesswork and enjoying timesaving shortcuts and professional techniques.
These are the tips which, at the beginning, we would have given a fortune to know.
Curtain making encompasses many different skills beyond the sewing machine, from using rubber bands, to pattern cutting, to a little carpentry and a lot of enthusiasm.
Rather than limit the instructions to a few projects, which may or may not suit your needs, we have given careful outlines of techniques which can be applied to an infinite number of styles and designs.
Treat the book like a pick-and-mix counter; take what you want and come back fro more when you've found out how satisfying it can be to look our at the world through a well dressed window.
Throughout the book, no matter what your experience or skill, we hope you will find what you need, whether it's the simplest seam or the most elaborate swags and tails.
Because we have included a great deal of detailed information, the make-up instructions are coded with a series of needle and thread icons, from one to four.
They indicate the level of skill needed,from the very easy to expert. But be encouraged; almost all the techniques, even the four needle ones, depend more on your patience and time than on years of experience.
Getting started is all that it takes to begin.
Catherine & Rebecca, Redbourne 1996
From the Inside Flap
Bursting with inspirational full colour photographs, clear line diagrams and step-by-step instructions, 'The Encyclopaedia of Curtains' is the indispensible curtain making guide.
Merrick & Day share their professional expertise to unveil the art in a comprehensive curtain book which includes many techniques explained here for the first time.
With graded projects and skills from Quick and Easy No-Sew ideas, from simple country sheers, and on to the traditional elaborate swags and tails, even hanging and storage, plus full instructions for many other soft furnishings such as blinds, beds, cushions, round tablecloths, here is a guide to make your dream home into reality.
Merrick & Day share their professional expertise to unveil the art in a comprehensive curtain book which includes many techniques explained here for the first time.
With graded projects and skills from Quick and Easy No-Sew ideas, from simple country sheers, and on to the traditional elaborate swags and tails, even hanging and storage, plus full instructions for many other soft furnishings such as blinds, beds, cushions, round tablecloths, here is a guide to make your dream home into reality.
From the Back Cover
The Encyclopaedia of Curtains.
A unique reference book from first design through every aspect of preparation and making, with over 600 diagrams and more than 150 colour photographs and illustrations.
A unique reference book from first design through every aspect of preparation and making, with over 600 diagrams and more than 150 colour photographs and illustrations.
About the Author
Catherine Merrick and her sister Rebecca Day turned a mutual love of soft furnishings into a successful, top quality curtain making company, now recognised by fellow professionals and magazine readers alike. Their range of books are based on practical knowledge and experience. They are both in demand for lectures and in addition hold frequent curtain making workshops and have been featured in many major magazines in the field of interior design.
Excerpted from The Encyclopaedia of Curtains by Catherine Merrick, Rebecca Day, Phoebe Phillips, Suzanne Kettle, Tom Robb, Brian Harrison, Tony Hopewell. Copyright © 1999. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Decorative headings
All gathered or pleated curtains, valances or blinds require a heading. The heading affects everything - fullness, how the curtain pulls open or closed, and how the fabric is displayed. If you plan to hang the curtains without a valance, pelmet or swag, then make the most of the heading because it will always be in full view. Almost all the designs have many possible variations, so there are plenty for you to choose from.
Decorative headings can be machine taped or hand sewn. The tables show how much fabric each group of headings will need across the width, and gives a standard machine tape heading allowance. Frilled, puffed and slotted headings have allowances given in their individual instructions.
All gathered or pleated curtains, valances or blinds require a heading. The heading affects everything - fullness, how the curtain pulls open or closed, and how the fabric is displayed. If you plan to hang the curtains without a valance, pelmet or swag, then make the most of the heading because it will always be in full view. Almost all the designs have many possible variations, so there are plenty for you to choose from.
Decorative headings can be machine taped or hand sewn. The tables show how much fabric each group of headings will need across the width, and gives a standard machine tape heading allowance. Frilled, puffed and slotted headings have allowances given in their individual instructions.
